1 Grassroots Advocacy in Action: A Powerful Tool January 13 th, 2015.

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Grassroots Advocacy in

Action: A Powerful Tool

January 13th, 2015

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Your Webinar Host:

Anne Henry Vice-President of

Government Affairs

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The Why’s &

How’s of Grassroots Advocacy

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The Why’s

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…The Why’s of Advocacy

Government is an integral part of your community’s success• Laws• Rules and Regulations• Licensing & Certifications for facilities

and staff• Health and Safety Surveys• Reimbursement• Other

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• Laws/Regulations• Focus on “Fixing Negatives” • ‘Worst Case Scenarios’• Swayed by Public Opinion• Public is Uninformed and

Reactionary

LTC Needs Advocacy

Need to Show OUR World!

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The LeadingAge PA Difference DIFFERENCE #1:

LeadingAge PA’s strength comes from Members

DIFFERENCE #2: We lobby with a “Big Bag of Voters”

(Grassroots)

DIFFERENCE #3: We don’t lobby with a “Big Bag of Money” (PAC)

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The How's of

Advocacy

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…The How’s of Advocacy

RELATIONSHIP IS KING!

Relationships whether with regulators or legislators is NECESSARY for success!

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Regulatory Advocacy

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…The How’s - Regulatory Advocacy

Who are the regulators?• Individuals under the jurisdiction of the

Governor• Agency Secretary’s• Deputy Secretary’s• Bureau Director’s• State Surveyors• State staff answering help lines

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Regulator’s have rules to follow:

• When making policy/regulations• Ensuring compliance with

policy/regulations

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How Rules are Made• Most rules are made as a reaction to

something negative • Rules can come in several forms• Regulations• Statements of Policy• Bulletins• Posting to web sites

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The Regulatory Process• Regulatory Process has rules• Many touch points for input • Respond to requests for public

comments • Attend Hearings of the Independent

Regulatory Review Commission• Weigh in with Legislators on Standing

Committee of Jurisdiction• Process is long – Minimum of 18 months

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Statements of Policy, Bulletins and Other Web

Postings• Vetted through internal state processes• Often few points for input until document

is published• Leading Age PA will work with regulators

on these policy documents as necessary

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LeadingAge PA Staff needs your help to shape policy…

• We need your expertise and stories to help make the point

• Consider participating in hearings, public meetings, webinars, etc.

• Contact us with your issues and concerns• Develop relationships with regulators –

they count!

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If you are asking for modifications of the rules:• Know the rule that you are asking to

have modified• Try to think as the regulator would – they

have a job to do • If you can, state your case so that it

meets objects of the regulators• Consider how to get to a win/win!

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Legislative Advocacy

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…The How’s - Legislative Advocacy

What YOU want that THEY have

• Ability to change public policy for the

better.• Ability to be heard.• Have a champion

for your causes, issues, and problems.

What THEY want that YOU have• Expertise on issues.

• Front-line facts.• Real world knowledge.

• Venues for Outreach.

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…The How’s – Legislative Advocacy

Relationship is King!Building the Relationship is

Key!Many opportunities to build relationships - • Invite elected officials to your community• Call, Write or Visit legislative offices when you

have important matters to discuss• If you chose, participate in fund raisers• Attend town hall meetings hosted by legislators

Attend LeadingAge PA legislative events!

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All Politics is LocalLegislators Want to Hear…

• What the local statistics are for your community• Real-life stories behind the numbers• How state money is being spent in their District• What specifically do you need to make your community

better!

Legislators don’t know what you know/think unless you tell them!

Share your expertise!! Become a contact for them in all things

regarding LTC!!!

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5 Steps for a Successful Community Visit

Step 1: Create a casual environment—open up and drop your guard.

Step 2: Give a community tour. Provide number of residents/staff, Medicaid numbers, and uncompensated care figures. Consider allowing direct care line staff to

participate too!

Step 3: Prepare a fact sheet.

Step 4: Provide real examples of issues/problems.

Step 5: Utilize photo opportunities for your newsletter or your legislator’s usage.

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Call, Write or Visit - Some Key Points

• Have a Purpose to your call, letter or visit.

• Prepare your message/concern so that it can be delivered in a short, concise fashion – sometimes you only have a short time to share your thoughts!

• Make sure to personalize your message – make it your own!

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OFFICE CONTACT

LETTERS

EMAILS

PHONE CALLS

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1. ALL contacts are logged. All written materials are read by someone in the legislator’s office.

2. “Canned” contact letters are not as powerful as personal contact – many may be counted as 1.

3. No matter who you speak to - be as positive as possible even if delivering a difficult message.

Calls/Letters – More Key Points

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…The How’s Legislative Advocacy

Legislative Office Visits – More Key Points

• Have the Right People There. Sometimes you need to take an expert!

• Be Ready with a Five Minute Message.

• Bring along a Short, Concise Summary to Leave Behind.

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Visits with Legislative Staff

…meeting with staff is as important as meeting with the legislator. They do the

work behind the scenes.

…staff can be the link between you and the legislator.

…remember – legislators often change more frequently than key staff!

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Final

Thoughts

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Final Advocacy Thoughts

NO MATTER WHERE OR HOW YOU MEET, ALWAYS REMEMBER

TO:

Offer to Help; Be a Resource

ALWAYS Thank Them for Their

Time

Send a hand written note after the meeting -

It will be noticed!

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Leading Age Staff are always there to help!

Join The LeadingAge PA Advocacy Team!

Experts can be hired… Real people, with real stories,

cannot!

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The LeadingAge PA Government Affairs Team

Anne Henry, VP of Government [email protected], (717)790-3949

Ana Puig, Director of Legislative [email protected], (717)790-3948

Beth Greenberg, Director of Regulatory [email protected], (717)790-3945

Brandie Karpew, Data & Reimbursement Manager [email protected], (717)790-3953 Amanda Cyster, Executive Assistant to CEO/Gov’t Affairs

[email protected], (717)790-3967

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Questions?

1 Grassroots Advocacy in Action: A Powerful Tool January 13 th, 2015.

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